Stolen Hope - A Super Mario Bros Fanfic

Chapter 6 - Coming Clean

Luigi looked back behind him inside the empty house, a deep fear knowing that he may not return. He shook it off. Paranoia isn't gonna help you here. With minor hesitation, he closed the door behind him and looked towards Peach, sensing her nerves too. The two had gathered what they needed, now all that was left was to start their journey.

Going on an adventure had never usually felt this bitter. There were a few times, but normally he would at least have his brother to trust and have at his side. But now? He was in the clutches of his sworn enemy...all thanks to me. 

What if this goes horribly wrong and Peach gets captured too?..

What if I get captured..? 

The duo had started along the pathway which led to the Mushroom Kingdom's border with the Darklands, where Bowser's main castle was. The much clearer grasslands laid out before them was a nice change from the denser trees. It was peaceful, calming even. The emotion however, was fleeting; temporary to Luigi. There was too much on his mind to take in the lush greens and earthy scents. 

This is all your fault. 

If you'd done things differently, his life wouldn't be on the line.

As if she was reading his mind, Peach came to a sudden halt, taking a deep breath and staring at Luigi. Their eyes both met, causing Luigi to panic more at the idea of a confrontation. He also came to a halt.

"Look, Luigi, I can tell there's clearly something on your mind, I want to feel like you can trust me if we're both going to do this. You don't have to tell me, but please at least tell me this; is there something more going on? You're obviously worried, but who wouldn't be? But I feel there's something more you aren't telling me", she questioned, trying to be sympathetic rather than aggressive.

Luigi was struck with guilt, not only for having to once again confront what happened, but for being secretive. Stuck in an indecisive, panicked loop for a few seconds, sweat dripped down his face as he stared towards the grass below. The next question however, pushed him over the edge.

"For example, how did the two of you end up in the forest?"

She just wanted answers, and he had them. He didn't want to hide it anymore, but as to not hinder their progress, he motioned for them to keep moving. After they were back on track, Luigi broke the brief silence, ready to tell her all the details of what happened that night.

"....Me and Mario had a...fight..."

*   *   *

"...Its like you don't even care.." Luigi mumbled quietly, while following his elder brother towards the house.

Mario paused for a moment, missing what Luigi had said, he pulled his hand away from the doorknob and turned to face him.

"Sorry, what did you say bro?" he replied back, sincerely.

Clenching his teeth inside his mouth, Luigi couldn't hold back his emotions any longer.

"IT'S LIKE YOU DON'T EVEN CARE!" he yelled, clenching his fists.

"Luigi..wha-"

"YOU GO TO SAVE PEACH, STAY AT THE CASTLE THE NEXT DAY, AND JUST RETURN AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED! ARE YOU EVEN AWARE OF DANGER? YOU'RE JUST..SO RECKLESS." Luigi yelled, his temper unable to be fully cooled, he tried to calm himself for a moment before continuing.

"Not to mention you barely even let me come along half the time! What if you blindly jumped into something again and I wasn't there to talk sense into you!"

"Look, I just don't want you to get hurt-" Mario argued back, his voice firm, his own patience being tested, but being cut off by Luigi once more, he flinched from the rising aggression.

"HURT? YOU DON'T THINK I FEAR FOR YOUR LIFE EVERY TIME YOU RUN OFF HUH? YOU JUST DON'T TAKE ANYTHING SERIOUSLY, DO YOU?....not even me."

Mario looked absolutely broken, guilt clearly portrayed in his expression.

"I..I-" Mario started, struggling to compose himself or find the words in the moment.

"I didn't know that's how you felt, or that I was..h-hurting you this badly..I'm..s-so sorr-." Genuine guilt and sadness came from his broken voice, but Luigi was still blinded by his own rage, the statement tipping him over the edge.

"YOU DIDN'T KNOW? ARE YOU REALLY THAT OBLIVIOUS!!" Luigi yelled, pausing to think for a moment. 

"Actually, that makes sense for you, doesn't it 'Super Mario'?" Luigi calmed himself a little, now thinking and seeing clearly again. He saw the look plastered upon his brother's face, the one he held dearest in life, and felt nothing but guilt. I was too harsh, wasn't I? Overwhelmed by resentment towards himself and his brother, he took a step back.

"It's just....are you ever aware that every time you go to save the princess, there is genuine danger? It feels like you act as if you have nothing to lose...not even me.." Luigi remarked in a cold yet upset tone. 

In the moment, he felt like he couldn't stay any longer, turning tail and running. He didn't know where, but he wanted to leave, to escape. From behind him, he heard a desperate plea.

"LUIGI!! WAIT, PLEASE!! I'M SORRY" Mario yelled, in a cracked sorrowful voice.

Disregarding the statement, he heard an echoing second pair of footsteps, realising his brother was chasing after him. He couldn't stop now. He realised he was on the way to Toad Town, which was easy to follow to. Thinking quickly, he suddenly veered right, dashing into the dense forest, hoping to get his brother off his trail.

*   *   *   

"After I ran off, we both..got a-ambushed by an army of B-Bowser's troops." Luigi said, nearing the conclusion of the situation, by now having been moved to tears. He continued, sharp regrets piercing his very being. "He told me to run to the kingdom in search of backup..and I..I left him there....a-alone.....I'm quite sure you know the rest" Luigi finished, now heavily crying, barely having the strength to choke out the last of his explanation.

"Hey, hey calm down, it's okay", Peach said, stopping them to embrace him in a hug. "I know right now it doesn't feel okay, but it will, I promise. And your feelings are justified, everyone feels emotions in a different way, even if blowing up at him wasn't the best way to communicate it, I'm sure Mario would want to mend your relationship just as much as you do."

Luigi was holding back sobs, his eyes heavy with emotion. "I..I didn't mean to explode like that...it was cruel, and I...I can't believe my last words to him were so...spiteful" Luigi spoke, voice cracking from the stress. "And not only did I say things I truly didn't mean...but I...I'm the reason he's in this mess in the first place..I'm the reason he's hurt, or worse!"

Peach reached a hand to his shoulder, in attempts to comfort the grief-ridden plumber. "You can't blame yourself for this Luigi. You didn't send Bowser's army, and certainly weren't the one to command them to capture you both." Peach spoke softly, aiming to reassure him. "And once again, I think you and Mario can sort this out, you have an unbreakable bond, as long as your air things out and talk properly, you can work things out, I promise."

Luigi met her eyes, tears freely falling from his cheeks now. "Do you think I'll get the chance?"

"Of course, we're going to save him. I Promise."

Luigi, overwhelmed with gratitude, let more tears fall as he swiftly enveloped the princess in a deep embrace. Peach hugged him back, feeling more assured herself that things were going to work out.

"Thank you."

When the two separated, Luigi was much calmer, determination now coursing through his veins. The two noticed that they were nearing Darklands, judging by the temperature spike. Bowser's castle was close. And judging by the change in lighting, the night was closer..

We're coming bro, just hold on a little longer...